Advancing U.S.-Canada Economic, Energy and Security Integration

Much has been made about the secretive nature and lack of transparency surrounding efforts by the U.S. and Canada to create a North American security perimeter. With several high-level meetings in the last month, not to mention all the behind the scenes negotiations, it is expected that an action plan will be unveiled at some point in September. From a U.S. perspective, it is security which is driving the agenda, while on the Canadian side, facilitating trade and easing the flow of goods across the border is the focal point. Any deal reached will build off past initiatives and be used to advance economic, energy and security integration between the two countries.

At a news conference following her meeting with Minister Baird, Secretary Clinton stressed that, “it’s critical that we ensure our border remains a safe, vibrant connector of people, trade, and energy. And today, the minister and I discussed other ways to expand trade and investment; for example, by reducing unnecessary regulations.” It is interesting that Clinton brought up energy as this is also an intrical part of North American integration which is being further advanced through the U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue, as well as other initiatives.

Another issue that came up during Clinton and Baird’s meeting was the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. If approved, it would carry oil sands crude from theprovince ofAlberta and pass through theU.S. states ofMontana,South Dakota,Nebraska,Kansas to delivery points inOklahoma andTexas, at theGulf of Mexico.

While addressing a question at a joint news conference about delays on coming to a decision on the pipeline, Secretary Clinton said, “We are leaving no stone unturned in this process and we expect to make a decision on the permit before the end of this year.”

Several months back, the Environmental Protection Agency expressed concernsabout environmental impacts associated with the project, as well as the level of analysis and information being provided. With the State Department’s recent release of its Final Environmental Impact Statement, the Keystone XL pipeline has moved one step closer to a final decision. The review period will now go, “beyond environmental impact, taking into account economic, energy security, (and) foreign policy.” While there continues to be vocal opposition to the project, it is being touted as important for future U.S. energy security.

“While a significant portion of imports are derived from allies such asCanadaandMexico, theUnited Statesremains vulnerable to substantial supply disruptions created by geopolitical tumult in major producing nations….

“The development and delivery of oil and gas fromCanadato theUnited Statesis in the national interest of theUnited States….

“Continued development of North American energy resources, including Canadian oil, increases domestic refiners’ access to stable and reliable sources of crude and improves certainty of fuel supply for the Department of Defense.”

In other words, more Canadian oil is needed to fuel the U.S.war machine. This all ties in with the perimeter security deal and further removing trade barriers. It is part of U.S.efforts to secure more access and control of Canadian resources.

The Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) was created at the same time as President Obama and Prime Minister Harper signed the Beyond the Border declaration. The RCC aims to further advance regulatory harmonization in a wide range of areas. While the border security and regulatory cooperation discussions are separate, they do go hand in hand.

In June, the RCC held its first meeting which centered around the development of a joint action plan and the creation of working groups in key sectors. The Terms of Reference establishes the mandate and principles by which it will carry forth. When an action plan is completed it, “will outline activities for a period of up to two years. At the end of the two-year period,Canada and theUnited States will review the work of the RCC and consider the adoption of a new Action Plan.”

While this is a bilateral initiative, “The United States and Canadawill seek, to the extent possible, to coordinate the RCC’s activities with the work of the U.S.-Mexico High-Level Regulatory Cooperation Council when the three governments identify regulatory issues of common interest in North America.” At some point, these dual-bilateral councils could come together to form a single continental regulatory body.

On August 15, 2011, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano met withCanada’s Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, “to discuss the ongoing partnership between theUnited States andCanada to work collaboratively on our shared vision for perimeter security and strengthen information sharing to better combat cross-border crime, while expediting legitimate trade and travel.”

The Toronto Star reported that Napolitano and Toews also discussed increasing joint border operations such as the Shiprider program which allows law enforcement officials from both countries to operate together.

Secretary Napolitano explained, “We’re looking at expanding that kind of basic concept to other areas where we can do more by way of joint law enforcement operation, intelligence gathering and … joint policing.”

This would also further build from the Integrated Border Enforcement Team Program, a bi-national initiative which is comprised of both Canadian and American law enforcement agencies. Eventually, we could see the creation of a joint U.S.-Canada organization managing the border.

Following his meeting with Secretary Napolitano, Minister Towes also announced that Prime Minister Harper and U.S. President Obama will meet in early fall where they will be updated and provide further directions on plans for a North American security perimeter.

There are fears that any deal reached could be lopsided with Canadagiving up more than it gains. Over the last number of years, Canadahas already enacted many U.S.security measures. As part of a continental security perimeter arrangement, Canadacould be forced to comply with any new U.S.requirements, regardless of the risks they may pose to privacy and civil liberties.

One response to “Advancing U.S.-Canada Economic, Energy and Security Integration”

Hello. Very good blog, and very good review of Susan Lindauers book. Please feel free to look at my blog http://www.nsnbc.wordpress.com and contact me concerning
a) contributing to nsnbc
b) publishing my articles on your blog.
The more we network, the more people we reach out to with some, sadly, very necessary messages.
Warm regards Dr. Christof Lehmann
nsnbc.wordpress(at)gmail.comhttp://www.nsnbc.wordpress.com